Princess Ivana

About the Authors

Positive parenting expert, Princess Ivana, is a trusted voice when it comes to life’s essentials. She is passionate about motherhood, kids, career and education. Having it all is not as important as having what’s right for you. How do we find our happily ever after in this ever-changing modern world? For Ivana, “It’s about connectedness—sharing who we are and what we know. Whether in family, community, love or friendship, we are greater together.”

That's why she is part of a unique collaborative writing team with her mom and sister. Together Princess Ivana, Magdalene Smith, and Marisa Smith have created four books and over 100 articles online and in print. The Modern Princess blog has reached over 2,000,000 people worldwide. Their latest collaboration is Perfectly Awkward Tales, a series of fairy tale adventures with strong girl heroes from around the world. (Ages 6-11). Illustrated by award-winning artist Hanna Barczyk.

Princess Ivana is a mother of two and Chief Digital Officer at Social Thinking. She is also a real princess married to an Italian prince. The couple met while Ivana was on scholarship at Pepperdine. "It was the last thing on my mind," Ivana recalls. "I had been working since I was fourteen and knew that the golden key to my dreams was an education, not a prince, however charming. I came from a very modest, funny family who taught me: Dream big. Work hard. Never give up. Laugh a lot and love even more." Princess Ivana has a Masters of Education and has worked with children for over 20 years.

Magdalene Smith raised three children (including Ivana & Marisa) across three countries, and worked at a variety of jobs from owning a café-theater in Spain to singing on stage in Paris, to writing books. Magdalene has an MFA in Writing from Vermont College.

Marisa Smith always knew she was different and thought it was a horrible thing. She finally figured out it was okay to be herself, weirdness and all. She went from not knowing what to do, to loving what she does. Marisa hopes you enjoy our Perfectly Awkward Tales as much as she loves writing them with her perfectly awkward family.